Steamer
Vernon
Possibly the most exciting technical wreck to dive on, in all of lower Lake Michigan. She lies upright and very intact in 205 feet of water. The Vernon was one of the few package vessels on lake Michigan that sank with her cargo intact. She is a 185 foot steamer made up of both wood and steel. Her deck can be reached at 175 feet and the name Vernon - Chicago is still on her stern. She is located about 8 miles northeast of Two Rivers, WI.
| VERNON Other names : none Official no. : 161557 Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight Build info : 1886, J.P. Smith, Chicago Specs : 158x25x18, 560 t. Date of loss : 1887, Oct 25 Place of loss : 6 mi NE of Two Rivers Point Lake : Michigan Type of loss : storm Loss of life : 36-41 with only one survivor Carrying : gen freight Detail : She foundered in a gale. The sole survivor was picked up on a small raft 2 days later. Most casualties died of exposure. Bound Mackinac Isl. & upper L. Mich ports for Chicago. Most contemporary reports of the number of casualties say about 50 were lost, but later reports revised the number downward. She had stopped at many small ports in Michigan on her way to Chicago from Cheboygan, Mich., so many of those who had embarked at those points were unknown. There were accusations at the time that she was overloaded, causing her cargo doors to be left open. These were confirmed in 1969 when the vessel was found. When she came out, marine men said she was unstable, because of her narrow beam and high upperworks. Sources: eas,nsp,is(3-58)sol,lmdc,h,wb,hgl,usls,mpl,bb,es3-1 |
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